Offside (7 page)

Becky opened her mouth wide and choked back a scream. She came as though he’d pulled a trigger, set off a spark which ignited everything inside her. A sob tore from her throat as she shook, her hips bucking, her core tightening and releasing sporadically, the sensation fierce even though nothing filled her. Nothing grounded her. And suddenly she needed that. Something to hold her down before she shattered.

“Come here.” Zach gathered her in his arms, carrying her to a chair to hold her tight as she came apart. It felt like she’d been torn open, exposed in a way she didn’t know how to handle. She shuddered, gasping as she curled into a ball on his lap. His dick pressed into her hip, and she blinked fast.

She’d done nothing for him.

Nothing!

“Don’t cry.” Zach pressed her head against his shoulder as another sob tore out from her chest. “Rest for a minute, then tell me what’s wrong.”

A hysterical laugh broke free as she lifted her head. Blinded by tears, she tried to meet his eyes. “Not for me. It’s not okay if it’s just for me.”

“It wasn’t, little doe. Believe me.” He kissed her forehead. “You have no idea what you’ve given me. And it’s not over. There will be more. So much more.”

“It’s not enough!” The tears stung her eyes. And she didn’t know why. It was so wonderful, but taking more than she gave felt so wrong.

“For tonight it is.” Zach kissed her forehead, “Come home with me, Becky. Let me hold you while you sleep. I need to see you when I wake up.”

Casey . . .
Becky’s throat locked around a hard lump. Zach
had
managed to make her forget. Her daughter was away. Would be for three weeks. She had nothing to go home to. Except her brother—who had Silver. And her parents—who had each other. Waking up alone in a house that wasn’t hers, thinking of the moments she’d spent not thinking about her daughter at all. How could she . . .

“I can’t . . . Sir, I screwed up. I shouldn’t have done this. What if—”

“What if what, Becky? What could have happened while you were with me?”

“I don’t know. Something bad.”

“No. Your mother is still at Dean’s. He has his phone. Someone would have called him.”

“I’m her mother.”

“And Casey is with her father. You had no choice.”

Helplessness ripped through her, like someone had cracked open her chest. “It’s not fair.”

“No. It’s not. And we can talk about it more in the morning.”

Zach dressed her, then held her close to his side as he approached Dean. He spoke low, and she couldn’t make out a single word. All she could think of was what a horrible mother she was. She knew Patrick would screw up. Her daughter would need her. And she’d been so incredibly selfish—

“Rebecca, look at me.” Dean took hold of her chin, trapping her with his gaze until his words were all that mattered. “You know my number. I will call you if there’s anything. Swear to me you’ll do the same.”

Why would I need to call you?
She blinked at him, confused. She was a grown woman, not a little girl who needed protection. But Dean obviously didn’t see it that way.

“I will.”

“Good.” Dean turned to Zach. “Make sure she gets some sleep. She hasn’t gotten much at my place since that asshole called her.”

“I’m not surprised.” Zach pressed her head against his chest. “But she’s tough. Don’t hesitate to call if—”

“I won’t.”

“All right.” Zach’s arm was heavy on her shoulders. Solid and steady. More so than the ground beneath her feet. “Any more objections, Becky? Tell me now.”

All that she’d thought was stable within crumbled. She rasped in a breath as she shook her head. It was ridiculous to need aftercare after the little they’d done, but she knew she did. If he’d sent her home without letting her . . .

What can I do for him?
He’d mentioned talking in the morning. That could work. She could make him breakfast. Maybe clean for him.

Which was funny, because she’d hated cleaning up after her husband. He’d always been a slob. And doing things for him never meant anything. But doing things for Zach would. She relaxed against his side and let out a sigh.

“No objections. I wouldn’t have liked for the night to end like this.”

Zach chuckled and kissed her hair. “Sweetie, we’re nowhere close to the end.”

* * * *

The central air in the condo kept the temperature comfortably cool, but as Zach watched Becky step up to him, shivering, he wondered if he should turn it off. He studied her face as she took hold of the bottom of his T-shirt. She didn’t seem cold.

Nervous?

No. Excited. Maybe even impatient. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes wide and bright as she quickly pulled his shirt up over his head. She hadn’t hesitated when he’d told her to undress him. He grinned as she dropped the T-shirt and moved closer to him, exploring the muscles of his arms and chest like she couldn’t stop touching him. His eyes drifted shut as she pressed a kiss to the center of his chest, and blood pumped steadily into his dick. There was something so close to worship in the way she kissed him. The way her hands caressed him. And the look in her eyes as she lowered to her knees and undid his belt . . . it was as though, in that moment, he was her whole world.

How long had she needed this for the little he’d done to mean so much? He kept his expression neutral as he fought the urge to pull her into his arms and ask her. This wasn’t the time to force her to think about what had been lacking in her life. With how she’d reacted to receiving more than she gave, the best thing he could do was let her serve him.

He stepped out of his jeans, then clucked his tongue as she flung them aside. “Is that how you treat your Master’s things, pet?”

Becky gaped up at him, blushing even as a shy smile graced her lips. She shook her head. “No, Sir.”

After she’d folded his clothes and placed them on his dresser, she returned to him and hooked her fingers into the elastic of his boxers. She bit her lip as she eyed his erection, barely contained by the snug, black cotton.

“Wait.”

Blinking at him, she rested her hands on her thighs. He could tell she was trying to hide her disappointment—she might have succeeded if he hadn’t been watching her so carefully.

He motioned for her to stand. “I need to see you. All of you.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, she held still while he eased the slave dress off her shoulders and let it drift to the floor.

Chuckling, he tapped her chin with a finger. “What was that for?”

“It’s just . . .” Her brow furrowed. She stared at her bare feet. “I don’t understand why you waited so long to get me naked.”

His lips curved slightly as he let his gaze travel slowly over her lush body, from her ample breasts to the swell of her hips. He cupped her cheek. “You were already naked to me, little doe.”

Her breath caught as he kissed her, and he smiled against her lips as she moaned softly and leaned into him. She went still as he took a knee, and he heard her swallow hard as he pulled down her skin-tone, silk panties. A shadow of stubble covered her pussy and he glanced up, taking note of her blush.

“I’m sorry I didn’t—”

“Don’t be. It pleases me that you didn’t go to the club ready to give yourself to just any man. And you haven’t tried to cover yourself from me. Very nice.” He traced a finger over her stomach, pressing his lips together when she stiffened. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s just . . . my stomach is gross.”

His brow lifted. “I don’t think it’s changed since the club.”

“No, but it was dark. You couldn’t see all the stretch marks and—”

“Stop right there and listen carefully.” He straightened, putting a hand on her hip to hold her in place. “You are beautiful. Each and every inch of you. As long as you are with me, this is my body. And I won’t accept you saying—or
thinking
—anything negative about what is mine. You bear those marks from carrying a precious child. You should be proud of them.”

She inhaled, then nodded. “I never thought of it that way. But I will now, Sir.”

“Good girl.” The way she glowed at the simple praise quickened his pulse. Suddenly, he had to show her, with more than words, that he meant exactly what he said. Tonight she was his, and he was desperate to claim her. But not with sex. He’d only ever fucked one person in mindless lust and passion, and he still regretted it. He refused to go there with Becky.

But there were other things he could do to her which would satisfy them both.

“I always shower before bed. Would you care to join me?”

The fact that he’d asked seemed to throw her off, but he would only go so far on taking her choices from her on the first night. Eventually, he could see them falling into a peaceful routine. But not yet.

Her fingers curled, then straightened, as though she’d resisted making fists at her sides. She dropped her gaze to the floor. “Yes. I would.”

He gave her a level look.

“S-sir.” She drew in a sharp inhale. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. If you have a problem with my requests, say so.”

“I don’t. It’s just . . .” Her forehead creased. She clasped her hands in front of her. “There are things I’d do for you if—”

“Like what?”

“I . . .” She bit her lip hard. Then released it as soon as she caught his frown. “I’d like to wash you.”

“I’ve never had a sub do that for me.” He let out a soft laugh at her scowl. He’d openly criticized her former Doms—which was bad form, but he couldn’t help it. They’d shamelessly used a sub who desperately wanted to serve. Her actions and words condemned them to his mind. He had a feeling his own words had just condemned every sub that came before her.

She gave him a heavy-lidded smile. “Let me take care of you, Sir. After me, you won’t accept any less.”

He hooked an arm around her neck and kissed her forehead. “I don’t doubt that for a second.”

In the shower, beneath the hot spray, he stood, relaxed, letting her soap his body with a facecloth covering her hand. The mist surrounding them picked up the subtle aroma of his orange and ginger body wash, fresh and invigorating. She scrubbed his back, then rubbed the tension from his muscles with slick, surprisingly strong hands. Up on her tiptoes, she washed his hair, using her fingertips to massage his scalp. He let out a soft moan as the soothing sensations slowed his pulse. As she shifted closer, he held on to her waist, partially because he was afraid she’d slip. Partially because he couldn’t help himself. Already he was making plans for what he would do with her in the days, the weeks, to come. Having all her focus on him, drawing all his focus to her, created a level of intimacy he’d never felt with anyone.

After rinsing him off with the showerhead, she knelt gracefully, gazing up at him as she wrapped her hand around his dick. He nodded, and she took him in her mouth. Jaw clenched, he held off release as long as he could, then dropped his head back, a rough sound escaping him as he came down her throat. Pleasure rocked his body so hard all his strength went to just staying on his feet. Her hot mouth held him until he went slack. And as she drew away, the selfless contentment in her eyes humbled him. He could bring her to bed and do nothing for her and she’d be happy. Because this wasn’t about her at all.

It wasn’t enough for him though. A sub like her could give again and again, expecting nothing in return. But he needed to give it.

Not that his needs weren’t a little selfish.

Tone rough, he pulled her to her feet and latched on to her thigh. “Put your foot on the ledge of the bath.”

She obeyed without question, trembling as he dropped hard to his knees. He molded her ass in his hands and buried his face between her thighs, tasting her with a loud groan he knew she would feel, deep in her core. He flicked his tongue roughly over her clit, then took the nub between his teeth, tugging gently. She whimpered. Her feet slipped.

“Hold on to me.” He slipped his tongue between her slick folds as she braced her hands on his shoulders. “For as long as you can.”

He dipped his tongue in deep, over and over until she cried out. The muscles of her cunt tightened around his tongue as he thrust in. Her juices covered his face, sweet and hot and so fucking delicious. He drank her in as she trembled, catching her as she fell and lowered her so she could sit on the edge of the bath. With long strokes, he drew out her pleasure, dipping, sucking as she came again. He knew he could force another orgasm, but that would be cruel. She was exhausted. Barely able to stand even as he pulled her to her feet.

And she wouldn’t be happy until she knew she’d done more for him than he’d done for her. He caught the subtle stiffening of her shoulders as she stepped onto the bath mat. Part of him wanted to simply carry her to bed and curl up with her in his arms, but he couldn’t rest until he knew he’d fulfilled that baser instinct she had to please.

“I can’t go to bed like this, pet.” He glanced over at the towel hanging by the bath, then let his arms fall to his sides. “If you don’t mind?”

“I don’t.” She grabbed the towel, fumbled with it, bowing her head as she dropped to her knees. “You don’t even need to ask.”

Fuck. Good job, Pearce.
He’d helped her reach the level of submission that satisfied her, but a request, rather than a command, shifted the balance. This was new to him, but he had to adapt quickly or he’d throw her off.

They still had so much to learn about one another. He reached down and tipped her chin up. “I won’t ask next time. But you have to promise to tell me when you’ve had enough.”

“I will.” Her eyes twinkled even as she rubbed the towel down his thigh. “I’m not interested in a 24/7 arrangement. On our date, I’ll be Miss Independent.” She laughed, and the carefree sound made his heart skip a beat. He hadn’t found himself a slave. He’d found a women with many layers he wanted to explore. Her next words proved it. “That’s when my mouth gets me in trouble.”

He grinned. “Hmm. Well, I should warn you. I tend to punish mouthy subs.”

“You will
not
punish me for speaking my mind.”

“Of course not. So long as you do so respectfully.” He placed his hands on his hips. “’Yes, Sir’ and ‘No, Sir’ resolve most debates rather quickly.”